Arguing About Faith on Social Media

I was having an interesting exchange with a gentleman on social media the other day. His wife had responded under an article regarding debating with people in social media about values. Her position was that she felt that defending her values and point of view was basically was she was called to do.

I decided to reply. I had recently read Proverbs 23:9 “Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words”. No, I didn’t just post this scripture and moved on. I said that after reading this I had changed my point of view.I explained that sometimes I felt like defending my values in social media, but I took a step back and started observing before speaking. I realize that there are people who like to say outlandish things just to get a raise out of others and actually enjoy debating with people just for the fun of it. While your blood pressure rises, they are laughing on the other side until they burn you out and they move to the next victim. The exchange is futile and fruitless.

I shared my experience and observations. I said that I had opted for demonstrating my values and beliefs in my daily life. I post things I wish to share and if anyone approaches me I’m always willing to share my testimony. That arguing in social media, in my opinion was not an effective tool of evangelism. That’s when the fun began.

Her husband came to the thread and asked me why was I against people speaking about God publicly? He said that my scripture was out of context and that I was trying to impede the furthering of the Gospel. For a little over an hour, that I will never get back, I attempted to explain to him that I was doing nothing of the sort. Until a light finally went off and realized that I should have followed my own advice to begin with and I walked away.

One of his challenges was that we as Christians needed to defend God. I honestly laughed. Me, little human dirt is going to defend the Alpha and Omega, Almighty God. Yes, to me it was funny. God doesn’t need defending in my mind. As far as I’ve read in the bible, he’s asked us to remain in his Word and love others while speaking the truth in love. He’s asked us to defend, protect and provide for the orphan, the widows and the needy. I haven’t found a single request to defend him. If someone has the scripture I’m always open to learn something new.

As I was meditating about this post I remembered that he doesn’t even ask us to defend ourselves.

In Matthew 5:39 Jesus tells us, “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek”

Then in Luke 12: 11-12 “When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Matthew 10:19 “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say”

Yes, 2 Timothy 4:1-22 tells us “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. ..”

So yes, we are called to reprove and rebuke…but keep reading; it says with complete patience. It calls us to be sober minded, and endure suffering. How much teaching can we provide when we’re spending our energy defending our points of view? How do we model Christ in our interactions; face to face or online ? How attractive (and by that I don’t mean putting a dog and pony show) are we making the Gospel to the lost? Does my life shows something that they would want for theirs?

I have to ask that myself that every day to stay focus into what God has called me to do.

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10 thoughts on “Arguing About Faith on Social Media”

Joy DeKok

Thanks for this reminder, Naty! I love sharing my faith on social media, but like you, I don’t believe God or His Word need defense. We’re called to share The Good News. . .and if people accept it, hallelujah! If not, that’s up to them. Anyway, just love the way you wrote this and am grateful for you!

very true, i got into an email debate with someone on YAHOO once,what a fruitless exercise,( i was convicted at the time by the bible quote that says to be always ready to defend our faith), but after a very frustrating few emails, i enDeded it, he wasnt genuinely seeking,just bored and baiting, it amused him, i was bringing the LORDS name into derision, because i had to be right!.., and as you say, He doesn’t need that! God bless you and your ministry

In everything the Holy Spirit will lead us if we ask… Sometimes it seems to be quiet and smile is best other times to reply. In your case He inspired this post. In other cases one comment may be the affirmation to another that they needed to hear to renew or deepen their faith we never know 🙂 what I know is that God uses us all not just Christians because He is the Lord God of all. Thank you for all you do for your voice and passion for Him. Be blessed!

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micha 6:8

Naty!
Blessings to you in the mighty name of our Dear Lord Jesus Christ.

Please forgive me, for I know this is the most inappropriate means of connecting with you…but this is the avenue I could find.

First of all, I want thank God for your life and the awesome work He is doing through you on this blog!

To Him alone be all the GLORY!

My name is Tim and I am the founder of the newly unveiled Christian Social Media/Community known as: Rhemalog

If I may crave your indulgence, I will quickly like to intimate you on our purpose, goals and objectives.

The name Rhemalog is a compound word, coined from both “Rhema” and “Log”.
It means, putting into writing(Log), your encounters in the Word of God(Rhema).
That is, sharing with the beloved, the things that God has shown unto you in His Word.

Rhemalog was established by the leading of the Holy Spirit, as a platform to enrich and impact the body of Christ all over the World!

You will agree with me that there is a lot of degradation going on.
Abuse, spiritual contaminations, mental pollutions and attacks on our faith.

All you need is to refresh your social-media pages long enough…then boom!
There you have it, in your face!
But.
Wouldnt it be awesome to have a sanctified environment?

A platform built solely for the Children of God.
Devoid of negativity around us, but filled with inspirations, encouragements and above all, the WORD OF GOD!

A breath of fresh air. Family friendly, conducive, loving and embracing.

Your own family of fellow brethren, encouraging, building, cheering on and strengthening each other on a daily basis!

This is our driving force.
The clarion call that moved us to put Rhemalog in place.

And this is our call to you: Would you like to join us?

As one of the (Christian) thinkers and opinion-makers out there, logically, it is a no-brainer that we need you, especially since our main goal is to ensure that the people are well fed.

We need your insightful thoughts. Inspirational ideas. Well written pieces. We need YOU!

Well, “gold and silver” we have not.
But can you help us be a blessing to the children of God out there?

The address of the website is:

rhemalog dot com (No need to create an unsolicited backlink!)

It will be a huge honour and we will be waiting for you.

The first step is to be registered. Duration of your submissions will be totally up to you. To keep up though, we would suggest you begin by sharing the links to your blog posts, later on, you can start doing reblogs or creating unique postings using our blog feature.

However, in-between, we would love your quips, wits, quotes and words of wisdom, posted on your homepage timeline. We consider these to be quick tonic for the soul…snacks for those in hurried need of inspiration and motivations.

Whichever option you choose, we cannot wait to have a drink from the fountain of your God-given wisdom.